Renting a car early saves money

With the spring-break travel season in full swing and summer fast approaching, many winter-weary central Ohioans are looking forward to warm-weather getaways.

With the spring-break travel season in full swing and summer fast approaching, many winter-weary central Ohioans are looking forward to warm-weather getaways.

For those planning an escape to some far-flung locale, the pre-trip to-do list usually starts — and sometimes ends — with two tasks:

1. Book a flight.

2. Reserve a hotel.

Renting a car at the chosen destination is typically a much lower priority. It might show up on the list between, say, “board the dog” and “stop the mail” — if it makes the list at all.

Too bad, experts say, because securing a rental car early in the vacation-planning process can yield significant savings and ward off entirely avoidable travel headaches — including, in the worst-case scenario, the inability to find any vehicle at any price.

“If your plans are pretty definite, prepaying is a really good option,” said Jeff Neiman, a spokesman for Hertz, told consumer watchdog Angie’s List. “You can save up to 20?percent if you prepay.”

Prepayment or no prepayment, the last thing you want to do is make decisions under pressure at the rental counter, said Consumer Reports columnist Tod Marks, also known as “Tightwad Tod.”

Marks suggests comparing rates on rental-car websites, on third-party booking sites such as Expedia, Hotwire and TripAdvisor, and on airline sites — even though the “fly-and-drive” discounts offered by air carriers tend to be less generous.

“AAA, AARP and Costco dangle deals, too,” he noted.

Comparing rates can be difficult because the dollar figures advertised don’t always reflect taxes and fees.

Marks recently went looking for the best rate for a two-day rental in Charlotte, N.C. The rate that appeared to be the lowest — $69 — quickly ballooned to $99, thanks to mandatory surcharges. Then came pitches for various extras, including personal accident insurance, supplemental liability coverage and emergency roadside assistance.

The revised total cost: $209 — more than three times the original figure.

That exercise, Marks said, was a good reminder that a little effort up front can “keep the bill from going through the sunroof.”

First, he said, consumers should contact their auto insurers to determine whether additional rental coverage is even necessary. In many cases, it isn’t.

Other money-saving car-rental tips from Consumer Reports and Angie’s List:

• Search for discounts. Perhaps the company you work for has a corporate discount that’s available to employees. If you travel frequently, weigh the benefits of joining a customer-loyalty program. Members usually get discounts or other perks.

• Don’t overlook small rental-car businesses. High-profile companies such Avis, Enterprise and Hertz offer the most-convenient locations and the greatest number of rental options, but lesser-known firms might enjoy more pricing flexibility.

• Go small. For the most part, smaller vehicles have lower rental rates and greater fuel efficiency. Obviously, fewer fill-ups could translate, over time, into big savings. (And many of the new compact cars are roomier than you might think.)

• Consider steering clear of airports. Rental operations housed on airport property often have to tack on fees that wouldn’t apply elsewhere. “You may find it may be worth a cab ride to an off-site location,” said Angie’s List founder Angie Hicks.

• Thoroughly examine the vehicle assigned to you. If you notice any dents or scrapes, detail the damage on your contract — and get a representative of the rental company to sign the notation before you drive away. And it never hurts to take photos.

• Avoid unnecessary penalties. Renters might be subject to additional charges if they drop off a car even a few minutes after the designated time. Returning a vehicle to a site other than the agreed-upon location can be costly, too.

• Fuel up before you return a vehicle. Most rental companies will top off the tank as a customer convenience, but you’ll generally pay less if you do it yourself at a nearby gas station.

kurt.ludlow@10tv.com

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